For Immediate Release

Contact:
Dennis Werner, The Produce Exchange
925-454-8700, dwerner@tpemail.com
www.emerilsproduce.com

Emeril’s Gourmet Produce Kicks It Up a Notch!

Livermore, CA – Chef Emeril Lagasse, Pride of San Juan and The Produce Exchange have announced the restructuring of the Emeril’s Gourmet Produce brand of fun and flavorful products. Under the new structure, The Produce Exchange is the exclusive sales, marketing and distributing agent for the brand and lead new product development of the brand, Pride of San Juan continues to manage the primary farming operations and Chef Emeril oversees the brand, new products and recipe development.

“From the very start, this venture has been about our passion for quality produce and to make it available to folks at home,” said Lagasse, “I am looking forward to adding new products to my line and creating new promotions with The Produce Exchange.”

Since its inception, Emeril's Gourmet Produce has launched more than 30 fresh produce products focused on flavor. The first were spring mix blends, fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes. In 2005, The Produce Exchange became involved and has since developed several new products in other categories for the brand.

“Our association with The Produce Exchange started with heirloom tomatoes.” said Stephen Wyrick, President and CEO of Pride of San Juan, “Chef Emeril and I soon came to recognize that we all share the same values. This restructure really allows each of us to do what we love and ensure greater success for the brand.”

With offices in Livermore, California, Kent Washington and Phoenix, Arizona, The Produce Exchange brings 28 years of new product development, sales, marketing and distribution experience to the brand.

“This partnership is a passionate joining of strengths with each of us doing what we do best; Emeril , leading food trends and providing inspiration for products, Stephen farming and managing production, The Produce Exchange developing new products, marketing and selling,” said Sam Jones, President of The Produce Exchange. “It is rare to find not one but two partners whose obsessive commitment to flavor and doing what is right matches our own. We’ve assembled a team with experience in farming and field operations, retail merchandising, fresh produce marketing and logistics.”

About Emeril Lagasse

Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of nine award-winning restaurants including three in New Orleans (Emeril’s, NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico); two in Las Vegas (Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House and Delmonico Steakhouse); two in Orlando (Emeril’s Orlando and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop); one in Atlanta (Emeril’s Atlanta) and one in Miami (Emeril’s Miami Beach). Lagasse will open his tenth restaurant, Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House at the Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, MS in June 2007. Lagasse became a national TV personality with the Food Network’s productions, “The Essence of Emeril” and “Emeril Live” and he is also a food correspondent for "Good Morning America.” A best-selling author, his creative approach to Creole cuisine is best summarized as “new” New Orleans cooking, also the title of his first cookbook. Eleven more cookbooks have followed including his most recent books Emeril’s Delmonico, and Emeril’s There’s a Chef in My World. Lagasse has received accolades and awards for his culinary expertise. In 1991, Lagasse was named "Best Southeast Regional Chef" by the James Beard Foundation. In 1998 he was chosen as "Man of the Year" by GQ magazine, and in 1999 was named one of People magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year." He was chosen as “Executive of the Year” in 2004 by Restaurants & Institutions magazine. In 2005, he received the “Distinguished Service Award” from Wine Spectator for his significant and long-lasting contributions to the wine industry. In 2006, he was inducted into the MenuMasters Hall of Fame by Nation’s Restaurant News. In September 2002, Emeril established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support and encourage programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children. Lagasse's corporate office, Emeril's Homebase, is located in New Orleans.

About Pride of San Juan

Capitalizing on the more than 100 years and 5 generations of farming experience, Stephen Wyrick, founder and CEO of Pride of San Juan has built one of the fastest growing gourmet lettuce, herb and produce businesses today. Dedicated to providing the highest quality products and a variety of packaging options, Pride of San Juan is a premier gourmet produce grower. In 2003 he partnered with Chef Emeril Lagasse to bring fresh produce to market in the Emeril’s Gourmet Produce brand.

About The Produce Exchange

Founded in 1979, The Produce Exchange is based on generations of experience with a singular devotion to creating a distinctive fresh produce experience for retailers and consumers. The Produce Exchange has a passion for fresh produce that when combined with innovation and execution has resulted in a reputation for great products and service. The Produce Exchange is privately held with offices in Livermore, California, Kent, Washington and Phoenix, Arizona.